Mystery benefactor boosts appeal for Shrewsbury church roof with antique jewellery gift
A mystery benefactor has helped the campaign to repair a church roof – by donating jewellery that sold for more than £5,000 at auction.
Repairs to two sections of the roof of the Church of St Bartholomew at Moreton Corbet, near Shawbury, are set to cost in the region of £140,000.
But the collection was boosted when the anonymous donor handed over a selection of jewellery which went under the hammer in Shrewsbury last week.
A pick of the collection, sold by Halls, was a single strand untested pearl necklace, which went for £1,450 and a 19th century heart shaped diamond set mourning pendant or brooch, which made £1,300.
"We are elated to get this money," said church warden Christopher Corbet.
"We don't know who donated it. We thank whoever donated it and we thank God. The year before last we managed to raise enough money to repair most of the church roof.
"However there are still two sections left to do. One bit looking towards the castle and the other bit is in the tower roof.
"We put this off before as they were not as urgent as the rest – however now there is greater urgency. We have applied for a grant for the roof work and live in hope we will get it."
Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley, head of Halls' silver and jewellery department, said: "It always good when we have people who come in with items to donate to charitable causes and we always want to get the best price for them. Most of the lots donated to the church sold at mid and top range sums, which was great."
Last week's jewellery and silver auction raised £200,000. The most expensive items was a £10,500 diamond set tennis bracelet by Jacob & Co, which featured 55 princess cut diamonds set in white metal.
The sparkling bracelet was consigned by a Cheshire vendor who also sold an Asprey & Garrard 18 carat white gold three stone aquamarine and diamond dress ring for £3,000.
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